Find out more about the female characters past and present driving change
Her Salisbury Story is a group of volunteers who are celebrating women connected to Salisbury. “We are all about sharing the achievements of women past and present who have made a difference to Salisbury or the wider community,” says Julia West, Communications Officer for Salisbury Soroptimists. “On our website you can meet female builders, cutlers and publicans as well as doctors, gardeners, artists and authors. Our articles about historic women have been written and researched by our volunteers. There are also podcasts and recordings to listen to.”
In fact, there are over 60 stories featured on the website. Women mentioned include Florence Nightingale, who apparently had strong connections with the Pembroke family at Wilton House; Elizabeth Godolphin (bap.1663-1726), the founder of Godolphin School; Dr Olivia Chapple, who founded Horatio’s Garden after the death of her son (the charity brings transformative environments to people living in spinal injuries units across the UK); and Minette Batters, who recently became the first female president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
You can meet members of Her Salisbury Story research project at the Chalke Valley History Festival until 26 June. Julia explains: “We are very grateful for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Salisbury Council. Our stand at the festival will be a green and white tent, kindly sponsored by Parker Bullen. Volunteers will be on hand to discuss the project and help visitors find out more about the women featured. We hope this will encourage many of the festival attendees to visit Salisbury and follow the walking trail Her Salisbury Footprint (hersalisburystory.com/her-footprint) a beautifully illustrated map of the city spotlighting locations associated with many of the historic characters.”
The map will be on sale at the festival. Visit www.hersalisburystory.com for more information or a guided tour.

by Katrina Ffiske